We spent almost three weeks in Florida and then a week driving back up to NC and seeing some family along the way. The first two weeks, Julie, Travis, and the kiddos joined us. This was a true highlight of our time in the US. We spent over two weeks in the Bradenton area, right near my brother. It was great to be able to see him every day and hang out and catch up. He has a great little pad a block from the beach.
The first week we stayed in Bradenton and drove ten minutes to the beach every day, here are some highlights:
Sophia loved playing with the cousins, especially Anna. In a separate post I will talk about some struggles we had these two weeks in the area of obedience. But she adored this time with them and was genuinely sad when it ended.
Bella spent a lot of time in the stroller, and to prove she is our 'chill baby' she really did not complain that much. We were always at the beach during her usual morning nap, which she avoided, so she just 'chilled.'
Sand was fluffy white, water was crystal clear. It was perfect, and some days even a little too warm.
This is what we looked like, stroller, wagon, lots of toys, and six kids in tow (somewhere).
The making of sandcastles
The theme for these two weeks was women shop and cook, men clean up, here are the young men doing their job.
Gorgeous beaches. As pretty as I have seen in Thailand really. No wonder they boast as 'the most beautiful beaches in Florida, and possibly the world.'
mid-week, my grandmother, Grandma Pinnie, was able to join us. We took her to beach every day to watch us play. I love this pic.
Chatting up with my bro, Herschel, outside a restaurant.
Anna and Sophia loved jumping off these rocks
The three 'Johnson' kids with Grandma
The whole crew, including Jenna, Herschel's girlfriend. It is hard to see everyone but Sophia is hugged up on Anna, who in general resists all hugs. This did not detract Sophia from clinging to Anna as best she could.
Can't get enough of this family.
Here we are, shadows and all.
Grandma with all her great grandkids.
burying Travis in the sand. Can you see him?
Sammy, cute as cute can be. All the seaweed was washed up from a storm
We made an obstacle course one day and everyone went through it, including adults.
Even Sophia participated, here she is on the last leg: running with a bucket of water to go pour on David's head.
And that concludes week one. More to come.
